Third brake light: Anyone made a housing?

[RDM]

For a few years, I've had a third brake light installed at the top of my back window behind the interior targa bar cover. However, when activated it pours red light all over the inside of the window, the back seats, and the interior of the car. The brightness of the brake light makes it difficult to see out the back window.

To address this, I'd like to put some sort of housing around the light to direct the light outside. Has anyone already designed a part to do this? Anyone work around this problem in some other way?

I'm not averse to getting a different light. I like the light up high, and I like that it's invisible from the driver's seat. Other than that, I'm flexible.

Positioned on the interior targa bar trim before reupholstery


Mock-up of one possible solution.

[proporsche]

Hi ,i have an original extra spare if that is what are you looking fore.The best is to not install on top of your rear glass but at the bottom..they were originally on top on 1985-96 but went to the bottom on 1987 ..it was hard to see behind.
Ivan

this one
https://cdn8.pelicanparts.com/catalog/images/new_images11/92863107000.JPG

[Mark Salvetti]

I think your biggest problem is the size of the red lens. I've been thinking about retrofitting something like this. It's already got a mostly black housing, I bet it could be easily fastened to the inside of the window with double-sided tape.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-HOUSING-LED-3RD-THIRD-BRAKE-LIGHT-FOR-92-04-CHEVY-S-10-SUBURBAN-TAHOE-YUKON-/302500367562?fits=Model%3ATahoe

Mark

[69porsche]

I use Daniel Stern for my 3rd BL...
https://www.danielsternlighting.com/products/products.html

Now! First-quality Hellaฎ LED Center 3rd Brake Lamp Kits
For retrofit or replacement:

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These new CHMSL retrokits, made by Hella New Zealand, are of much higher quality than the common 3rd-world junk that has flooded the market. These units self-adhere to the inside surface of your vehicle's backglass. Instant-on LED technology gives a full-intensity red signal 200 milliseconds faster than bulb-type units, giving the drivers behind you 20' more reaction time (at 60 mph) for optimal safety. Lens is colorless when not illuminated. Kit comes complete with installation kit and instructions. Regulatory Approvals: ECE S3 (European E-code), US DOT, ADR. Three different models are available; pick the one that most closely matches the angle of your vehicle's backglass, considering horizontal to be 0ฐ. $77.59/kit

Model 37: For backglass angles of 20ฐ to 36ฐ — Most fastbacks & coup้s:
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[Jack Stands]

I installed a Hella light on my Targa by making some brackets to attach it to the rear glass behind the Targa bar. I think the Danial Stern sourced products are even a better choice however. Keeping the light as high as possible seems like the best location to make it visible to other drivers.

[69porsche]

+ 1 on having installed it high (top center)....you want to be seen by the other driver braking

[Jack Stands]

A housing would probably be a good 3D printing project for someone.

[69porsche]

I would buy the Daniel Stern product and wash my hands of the project....make it easy on yourself...you get the light, wiring, instruction and 3m adhesive tape and clips all in one complete package

[RSBob]

I fabbed one like your cardboard prototype but snugger fitting. Used very light weight black plastic tray from the grocery store, which may have had meat or cold cuts. Trimmed it up, held together using black 3M electrical tape and secured to the light and the back window using with black double sided tape. No glare at night in the back of the car since it’s form fitting to the window slope. You have to look closely to tell it is home brew. Received several compliments on it and best of all, it doesn’t annoy me while it annoys everyone else.

[RDM]

+1 on having it up high where it is most easily seen.

+1 on the Stern lighting kit. Except that when you mount it up high you end up with a giant blind spot right behind you.

RSBob, I'd love to see pictures of what you have.

If anybody has the interest / skills in making this a 3D print project, I'd like to talk to you. That was where I expected this to go.

[Canada Kev]

I understand what your brake light issue is, all the light reflecting off the glass and interior. I think you're on the right track trying to come up with some sort of duct or shield around the LED panel would eliminate the extraneous light in your interior.

Thinking outside the box a little bit (pun intended) a light could be mounted on the exterior of the window by the vents at the top of the glass like what Porsche did on the later 993s (not the basket handle).

There's even a Pelican thread with someone asking about that very thing.

993 roof spoiler w/ brake light install in 964

[RDM]

Kevin,

That's an optimal solution. I like it a lot. But fortunately for me (and unfortunately for this solution) I have a Targa. It would be possible to wedge something between the rear bar seal and the window or tape something to the window, but I don't know how secure that would be.

[fintstone]

I also like the Hellaฎ LED Center 3rd Brake Lamp Kits form Daniel Stern. Hard to beat. It was hardly noticeable when driving my '74 Targa.

[RDM]

Originally Posted by fintstone

I also like the Hellaฎ LED Center 3rd Brake Lamp Kits form Daniel Stern. Hard to beat. It was hardly noticeable when driving my '74 Targa.

Top or bottom of the window? Pictures?

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by RDM

Top or bottom of the window? Pictures?

There are photos of it installed both ways in this thread:

How to: 3rd brake light install

[betterair]

I used a similar led bar pictured in your first post and below.

I dremmeled out a 5" section of the middle vane of the engine deck lid, and off to the races.See pic below.

It gives a small three point brake light pattern, not as optimal as a 3 rd brake light at the top of the rear window,but much better than just two taillights, as long as your ok with cutting into a deck lid vane.

[Flojo]

install a slim china-made LED-strip at top of window inside the slid roof edge.
Audi A7 style

[DRACO A5OG]

+1 Dan's CHMTB, placed mine at the bottom, better visibility :-)

[RDM]

Again, I want top of the window for better visibility to those in their jacked-up F350 Suburban All-Trak Command Crew Cabin with screens for everyone (apologies to sludgo)

And I want unobstructed view for me. I've already got the $10 Chinese LED strip that will fit behind the Targa bar trim inside the car where I can't see it. So the Stern light is out.

And I want all that beautiful red brake light to go out the window, which is really my point in posting.

Anybody do 3D design / printing?

[fintstone]

A foot higher probably does not make much difference. Of course, maybe you could just bolt a Chinese LED strip on to one of those Chinese-made wings that you see on Neons...vice the quality ECE S3 (European E-code), US DOT, ADR approved solution. At least if you make a cover, you only blind everyone else (not yourself).

Good luck on that.